Photo. Latvian girls ready for dancing in spectacular lights. © Travel Explorations.
High-tech lighting systems in Righa are used to add dramatic effects to nightclubs and discos. The lighting systems ae used to to move the lighting units to the rhythm of the music or a random movement program.
Photo. Lighting effects of surrounding colours and atmosphere. © Travel Explorations.
Also the bridges and the most famous buildings in Riga are decorated with lights in the nights, but nothing can compare with the inside lights in the nights.
More about the party life will come soon, but first some general information about Riga.
Riga is the capital of Latvia, which is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the River Daugava. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states.
The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture, comparable in significance only with Vienna, Saint Petersburg and Barcelona.
The old town, called Old Riga, is the historical centre of Riga, and located on the East side of Daugava River. It`s famous for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and old churches and cathedrals, such as Doma Cathedral and St. Peter Church.
| Photo. View of modern part of Riga from the Sky Bar. © Travel Explorations. |  |
Some of the most interesting sights in Riga are:
* The Doma Cathedral, considered the largest church in the Baltic states. Built in the 13th century, it was modified several times in its history. It has a magnificent organ that dates from 1844.
* Riga Castle which houses the Museum of Latvian History and the Museum of Foreign Art.
* St. Peter's Church, with its 123 m high tower.
* St. John's Church, a small 13th-century chapel, behind St. Peter's Church.
* The Powder Tower (Pulvertornis), the only tower that remains from the original city walls. The Latvian Museum of War is located inside.
* Wooden architecture open air museum.
* The Occupation Museum of Latvia, which documents the seizure and occupation of Latvia by different forces from 1940 to 1991.
* Art Nouveau architecture on Central Riga streets such as Alberta and Elizabetes Iela.
* Riga Radio and TV Tower - the third highest tower in Europe.
* Motormuzejs (Motormuseum) - collection of retro automobiles, including some historically significant autos, for example, Brezhnev's and Stalin's limousines with waxworks of these political figures. Located in Meciems.
* Riga Zoo and Meaparks(Forest Park) with a Ferris wheel.
* Domina Shopping Centre - the largest shopping centre in the Baltic states (located in the North-West side of Purvciems).
* Riga Circus - the only stationary circus in the Baltic States.
St. Peter's Church, 19 Skarnu iela:
St. Peter's church was built in the year 1209. The church is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the Baltics, meant to be the main church of the town.
The church tower seemed to be jinxed, it was burned down and rebuilt many times trough the centuries. It first collapsed in 1666 and the last destruction it suffered was on St. Peter's Day in 1941.
In 1973 the tower was restored for the last time. From the observation platform of the tower you can enjoy a wonderful eagle's-eye view of Riga.
Stein Morten Lund, 3 April 2007
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